A new array of cycling trails are being constructed in Duncan Park. Eric Turner of BikeWorx and a group of volunteers are working long hours to get the trails ready for use. Turner is using a mini-excavator to cut the trails through the dense undergrowth.

Mostly what needs to be done is the typical raking in after the big machine which means softening the edges of the trail and making sure there are no dips for water to collect. There are some roots that need removal as well.

Please Bring tools if you have them! Gloves, water, main tools necessary would be hard rakes (Mcleods if you have them) and large loppers.

Every Saturday is a big workday however there are some of us that work most everyday as the size of the project still remains very large.

A new array of cycling trails are being constructed in Duncan Park. Eric Turner of BikeWorx and a group of volunteers are working long hours to get the trails ready for use. Turner is using a mini-excavator to cut the trails through the dense undergrowth.

Story from GoUpstate.com

Duncan Park will be the home of six miles of a new trail system that will wind its way throughout the park — perfect for mountain bikers and runners and walkers who want to enjoy nature in the heart of Spartanburg.

Bikeworx Owner Eric Turner was awarded a $25,000 Business Champion Award for Active Living grant through the Mary Black Foundation two years ago to give to a non-profit organization of his choosing.

He gave half of the grant to the Glendale Outdoor Leadership School to purchase a bicycle trailer, a fleet of bikes, helmets and to create a mobile youth biking program. The bikes and program will be offered to children in Spartanburg County who might not have otherwise have access to bikes, instruction or active living opportunities.

Turner decided the other $12,500 would go to the city of Spartanburg for building trails in Duncan Park.

Turner, who has built professional trails, spoke with many volunteers who ultimately shared his vision — among them, Deno Contos, the owner of Benchmark Trails of Greenville.

Without Contos' and Turner's expertise building trails, and volunteers who have already helped, this trail would've cost about $100,000 to build.

Contos helped with the professional design work on the trail and said when it's complete in a few months, it will be a “flow trail system,” meaning mountain bikers will find it interesting from the valleys and some steep inclines. There will also be bridges that cross over creeks. The system will have trails for beginners as well.

The new trails will connect to the Mary Black Rail Trail and the Mary H. Wright Greenway.

“It will ride smoothly and it won't have an awkward flow,” Contos said. “We hope it will become a destination for bike riders to come from other cities to ride.”

Contos is providing his expertise at no charge. The grant funds are being used for equipment rental and materials. No one who is doing work on the trail is being paid. Cate Ryba, of the Mary Black Foundation, said the citizen-led grassroots effort is what makes the project so exciting.

“They need people who are willing to give a couple of hours out of their day, or give a whole day to help with this,” said Ryba, who also serves on City Council. “This is absolutely the kind of work we love to see being done by citizens.”

Turner said the topography and the character of the woods behind the Duncan Park baseball stadium are perfect for biking and walking.

“So often, we see trails out in the middle of nowhere, where people have to look for them to find them,” Turner said. “The location of Duncan Park is ideal because it's right in the middle of the city — it's perfect for a trail system.”

Signage is also being donated so residents and those traveling along Spartanburg streets will be able to easily find the trail.

T.C. Stone, a friend of Turner's and a fellow cyclist, said he lives in Duncan Park within a 1/2 mile or so from the new trail.

“It's just one more resource we can have — the Rail Trail is great, and once we're able to clear the debris and roots, it will start coming together,” Stone said.

City Parks and Recreation Superintendent Brian Wofford said the city is excited to be a partner in the project.

“We talk a lot about gaps and how every local government has gaps and it's great when you have volunteers — people in the community — like Eric that see gaps and notice how we can do things just a little bit better. It makes us all better,” Wofford said.

The trail will likely open in May to celebrate National Bike Month. Turner said he hopes to have students in the Glendale Outdoor Leadership School to come with their bikes to ride on opening day.

Turner said volunteers who would like to spend a couple of hours or an entire day clearing trails are needed. Volunteers are saving trees on the property which are being overtaken by English ivy.

A group interested in controlling the ivy is also needed, Turner said.

Those interested in helping with clearing the trail should call Wofford at (864) 562-4059.